Featured highlights still to come at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) during WEF Week 7 include the $391,000 Palm Beach Equine Clinic Grand Prix CSI 5* on Saturday, February 23 beginning at 7 p.m., and the $72,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic and $50,000 Dutta Corp/Guido Klatte Grand Prix CSI 2* on Sunday, February 24. WEF continues through Sunday, March 31, with 12 weeks of top hunter, jumper, and equitation competition.

In Friday’s featured speed class, the early time to beat over the Anthony D’Ambrosio-designed course had been set at 64.00 seconds by Marilyn Little (USA) and Clearwater, but when Menezes and H5 Caruschka 2 entered the ring during the second half of the class, they made short work of the course, shaving more than two seconds off of Little’s time to take over the lead in 61.90 seconds.

That time would hold up through the remaining 13 entries to give Menezes the win, while Ireland’s Daniel Coyle and his own Leilani would narrowly edge out Little to take second with a time of 63.78 seconds, giving third place to Little and Clearwater, owned by Karen O’Connor.

“She’s a great speed horse; that’s her specialty,” said Menezes of H5 Caruschka 2, a mount he has had for seven years. “When the course suits her, and we manage to clear a couple of wide oxers, she’s difficult to beat!”

Friday’s course undoubtedly well suited the 15-year-old Oldenburg mare, owned by H5 Sport Horses LLC, with opportunities to leave out strides playing to her advantage.

“She has a huge stride, and when you have options to take those strides out in the lines, that’s always good for her,” explained Menezes. “When you don’t have many options, and you need to slow it down, she has such a big stride that she ends up slower than some other horses.

“She’s a special mare,” continued Menezes, who plans to aim the mare at the Bainbridge 1.45m speed classes during Weeks 9, 11, and 12. “This is a great season for her because of these Bainbridge classes, these 1.45m speeds; that’s her comfort zone.”

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